Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

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what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

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BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan and Africa

……MISSING IN ACTION

African Lab- The 1st Young Asian Africanist Camp

Better Together 2017 -World Culture Open Korea

....BACK TO COOL  JAPAN

We will discuss the soft power assets and possibilities of Japan in two series: Cultural Diplomacy and Aid.

You do understand how soft power works by now right? With this song by the Disco Gods...

Soft Power is understanding that attraction is key to get what you want and not by force. Countries are only as attractive to others based on culture, policies, and ideologies the country holds dear. 

EXPECTATIONS

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa. There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy of Africa countries and Japan, but this is not unique to Japan. However, this could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. Anime and Manga in Africa is not cool but infused some of African Myth and Folklore, I got you your Cool Japan!

See you next Silk Road Thursdays

Public Health Wednesdays(PHW): The F* Word, African Sexual Liberties & "Medical Diplomacy"

THE THREE  F WORDS IN GLOBAL HEALTH
 

“Superpower & Great Power States maintain a hold on Africa with the three F words: Food, Foreign Aid and F&*%$#@”

— Water & Cassava

...ONLY SEX POSITIVITY HERE... 

Learn the basics on how to use a male condom correctly. Male condoms are inexpensive, easy to find, not hard to use (a little instruction never hurts, though!) and really, really effective against HIV, chlamydia and a host of other sexually transmitted infections when used consistently and correctly.

FC2 female condom Animation - English

For any questions, concerns on safe sex including testing, go here:

..African queeer resources on sexual health

....AFRICAN QUEER FACES AND THIER NARRATIVES 

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MEDICAL DIPLOMACY

The violated and invaded spaces of African Sexual Liberties through the disguise of governance and aid in the name of “medical diplomacy” feeds the diet made of “Diplomacy of Dependency” of African states.
F f$%^&*# is part of health, just like the importance of a balanced meal, limiting alcohol or avoiding it in your diet, making sure to be active at least 30 minutes out of the day and so much more. I had a professor once tell me, once you hear or read “politics” or “security” in front or behind the word, the B.S is coming: Water Security, Food Security, and Global Health Security. It should be told, the person that uses this term to create any policy is the bullshitter!

“Never forget, any forms of medical diplomacy through “foreign aid” by the helping country is just a branding tool in their soft power to the “sick country”. ”

— Water & Cassava

International Health Cooperation for purposes of extending help (real health diplomacy) in health strategies are nothing new in the conversation of foreign policy. Europe was forced to incorporate such health strategies in their attempts of dealing with cholera and the plague. The International Sanitary Conference took place in Paris on July 23, 1851, this will be the beginning of Global Health corporation. 

“The motivation behind medical diplomacy or health diplomacy, is the ambition towards soft power or smart power to those that can wheel it on the global stage”

— Water & Cassava

THE HIGH AND THE LOW OF IT ALL.....

Foreign Policy discussions on health was at the low end of the pole like:

 “Graffiti is considered Art for some (Low Art by those with money) but paintings by Salvador Dali is considered not just high art, it is complex art”.

The game changer for health (low politics) vs (high politics) was the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It would forever change the language and corporation efforts towards global health security. In additions, the ability for actors to weaponize viruses presented new woes as bioterrorism. This moved health from the bottom of the pole(low politics) to the top of the pole “high politics” now known as foreign policy.  

Do you remember the “great global concerns” “the health security risks” of the Ebola virus? Did you see the praises Nigeria received on their approach to keep Ebola away?

Pay attention to the language in  8:05-:07

The Ebola virus has so far killed more than 2,800 people in West Africa, with the majority of deaths in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. But nearby Nigeria has been able to spread its message about the disease -- what it is, where to report it, how to prevent it -- with more success.

“The Econmics of Ebola was a powerful deterrent to stoping the spread of Ebola... Oh and Global Health Security”

— Water & Cassava

The Brookings Institute speaks on the economics behind Ebola

CDC

There is a very strange interest in spaces below the equator line with regards to family planning and sexual liberties with actors that range from religious spaces, NGOs and governments.  These actors occupy spaces in Africa and manipulate “STD/STI concerns” as a tool to control the people. 

Again, why not help build condom factories and leave resources to help combat the issue? It would cost less and make fiscal sense on every caring actor's budget.

Their presence rubs raw to our issues and concerns and these morph to problems in our already fragile-complex spaces. Sing it loud and proud, Come together right now....

Ike & Tina Turner - Come together 1971 Original by The Beatles, released 1969

THE STORY OF THE CONDOM

EGYPT

5000 years ago, the first documented condom was in Africa. Africans have always understood family planning and understand the need to protect the body from STD's/STI's. We also understood that not every sexual experience must result to a child.

Where was Europe 5000 years ago in the discussion of sexual liberties? We know that the state of war was the norm. We know that in all this barbarism and pillaging of lands and tribes, there was just no room to contribute on sexual liberties. Ah yes!! The roman soldiers did use sex as a way to build cohesion in their military units. No judgement here, War is seductive.

In Asia, Japan used condoms before Giacomo Girolamo Casanova shocked and was celebrated for his sexual liberties!

This a linen condom from ancient egypt. 

Vintage condom container from 1929. ..Wonder why Ramses?

They've been around for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt. See where condoms started and you'll appreciate how far they have come. One more reason to never go without one.

OPPRESSION  OF AFRICAN SEXUAL LIBERTIES IN THE NAME OF: AID & GOVERNANCE:

The addiction to aid that African countries simply cannot detox from by their former European colonial dealers is not going unnoticed by some very old friends. While Japan and Korea give money towards combatting HIV/AIDS, China gives condoms. 

This is not always a good idea because of quality and frankly size. 

The colonized penis and vagina is on the backdrop of a colonial framework that only saw our sexuality as primitive and barbaric. Please understand that for African women and men, it has stood for 500 centuries that our diet is made of pure white virginity or monkey savage black as tar hypersexuality. 
It is documented that African men were subjugated to extreme violence from their masters and were forced to apply sexual violence on women because they were not viewed as humans but working domesticated animals.

Africans, Indigenous Americans, and Asian people were housed in human zoos found in the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium from 1835-Late 1940s. Wealthy white men could touch “the exotic creatures” and of course have that barbaric jungle sex.

 Sarah Baartman 

 A young Khoisan woman that was enslaved and sexually exploited from modern day South Africa. She is a testimony to the colonized state of African genitals. Sarah was known for her large buttocks a result steatopygia and beautiful elongated genitals.

“Accumulation of large amounts of fat on the buttocks. This is normal!”

— Steatopygia

After her death, her brain and genitals were put up for display in French museums  like Musée de l'Homme until 1975. It was in 2002, that the French government gave her body back at the request of then President Mandela begging and pleading.

“ Her skeleton is very well cared for here because we never know what science will be able to tell us in the future. If she is buried, this chance will be lost... for us she remains a very important treasure”

— Musée de l'Homme, Philippe Mennecier, Assistant curator

Her body was used for racist distorted justifications in academia and literature that claimed African women were related more to monkeys than humans. 

“Our beauty is like to that of a monkey! In the name of black Jesus byway of Marcus Garvey, we pray that you rebuke those white lies!!!”

— Water & Cassava

There is a western hegemony on theory, academia and sexual narratives that dominate our current conversations, academia or popular culture around sexuality. This  by design is not empowering to African people but damaging to the African ontology. 

After, The Atlantic & Indian Ocean Holocaust, The Aftermath for African diaspora people in the Americas and Europe, Colonial Africa, Apartheid Regime, and the systematic oppression throughout these spaces …

“Do Africans truly understand and celebrate their sexual liberties without colonial guilt?”

— Water & Cassava

Think about this…

 We are not even allowed to question the questions behind our colonized sexual expressions and sexual liberties. Medical OR Health diplomacy are such pressing issues in Africa yet with all that aid, I do not see condom factories but condom distributions.

Our sex is brutally policed, I mean you do not think those condoms reach everyone right? You do not really believe applied public health is truly used in our spaces like we see in western spaces, right? In my early years of applied public health, my employer (uncle sam) allowed for funding to teach people the sexy in “cheeking condoms”.

African Sexual ontology is fluid and more open-minded than that of the former colonial masters, despite the alternative truths that circulate around this topic. 

“Africa is responsible for the entire existence of the human population as we know it today. How can anyone even suggest that sexual liberties, diverse sexual orientation, gender, fluidity in human sexuality would be a new concept?”

— Water & Cassava

Tuareg & Sexuality

As you read this, understand they are Muslim! These women are and have always enjoyed their sexual liberties. 

THAT JUNGLE SEX, THAT JUNGLE FEVER

What in the entire $%&* makes white colonial spaces believe that our sex is barbaric, unnatural, jungle like, dirty even immoral and unholy? Stop playing games, our sex is so holy that we birth the planet. 

There is romantic white vanilla softness that is praised with whites and their sexuality. We are not allowed to bask in our shea butter African sexuality in peace. We as Africans have our own traditions, practices and scholarships in sexuality that are wide and diverse.

Whitewashing of everything that comes from anything below the equator is the norm. Constant alternative truths and taking away contributions of the co called "other" in western distorted narratives even deceives good people out here that the vanilla spice is white. 

To understand why you think it is white, no fault to you. I tell you the colonized state is a disease, it even colonizes your stomach!

To understand more about the Theif that stole from our brother Edmond Albius:

This entry is about sexual liberties, so I should mention the queerness that is vanilla.  The vanilla plant is hermaphroditic by nature.

                THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1500 years and you are still not holy! Carry on

On the plane returning from his journey to Africa Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, Pope Francis spoke about condoms as a method of preventing the spread of disease, saying that the Church was faced with a perplexity of whether to follow the fifth commandment (Thou shalt not kill) "or that sexual relations are open to life."

 PHILIPPINES PRIEST & “ALTERNATIVE CATHOLICISM

PEDOPHILIA, EPHEBOPHILIA & THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

HIV+ PRIEST THAT RAPE CHILDREN & THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

A catholic priest in Mexico was accquited and forgiven by the church after raping 30 young girls despite knowing he was HIV+. The kicker here, he was forgiven by the church. 

That is the Catholic Church on sex!  They are killing African men and women by making it clear condoms are not holy. I wonder what about the videos you just watched scream "HOLY". The church and to be clear, places of worship should not be given a platform of any to dictate legislature in health-related policies directly or indirectly.  They are more than welcome to be part of positive community engagement in public health education.

AFRICAN SEXUALITY: DID YOU KNOW?

1. We have special “aunties” or “older female relatives” in many African countries that offer marital advice before your special day. I am not speaking about making: Ugali, Jellof rice or Tajine. I am talking about SEX. These women are so legendary that you only know them on a need to know basis. #vipstatus

2. Chinamwali session from Zambia

You are so welcome!

 3. Labia Elongation (Nothing to do with FTM)

RUBBER TREES & CONDOM FACTORIES IN AFRICA

Top Rubber Producers in Africa

Liberia
Nigeria
Zaire
Ivory Coast
Cameroon
Central Africa
Ghana
Mali
Congo

None of these countries have condom factories because that would really be “medical diplomacy”. Outside of this fact, out of 1.2 billion Africans majority of condoms in Africa are either donated or from western manufacturers. There are less than 20 condom plants in Africa and less than half of these factories would be up to standards as you saw on the video. 

An average condom factory should produce 160 million condoms a year, operating 24 hours a day with staff from the business sector, social media sector, science sector and technology sector.

Anyone willing to help?

FYI: There is a current  shortage of roughly over 450 million condoms in Africa. 

.....MEANWHILE IN ASIA AND EUROPE...

The world’s largest condom maker is based in Malaysia. Malaysia is a top rubber producing country in Southeast Asia. However, it has decided to contribute to their public health narrative by designing and manufacturing their own condoms.

JAPAN SEXUAL LIBERITES: MEET ERICA

Japan's population decline could be the biggest humanity has ever seen. Adam Yamaguchi went to Japan to learn how they're looking to robots to prop up their dwindling numbers, and maybe even redefine what being "human" means.

FOUNDATION FOR RESPONSIBLE ROBOTS

You can catch the conference that looks at robots & human sexuality and what the future looks like:

To read the latest report on robot behavior and sex:

 Until next PHW!!

Friday Ramblings, Realities and -Isms- The one about Restlessness

Rambling is defined by Webster as:

• passing from one topic to another

• using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

Reality is defined by Webster as:

• the quality or state of being real

• a real event, entity, or state of affairs

• totality of real things and events

• something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

-Isms are just my own colloquialisms .

This week was in this order:
Shit
Shit
Damn
Damn
Stress
Meetings
Shit
Shit
Meetings
Conference
Reading
Researching
Shit
Exhausted

The start up was chosen by the Africa Lab to attend their 1st Asian Africanist Camp a two day camp event. They fed me, yup pescatarian food! I learned a lot and I was impressed and moved by the interest in Africa! 95% of the room were polyglots. The conference was two hours away from my apartment, so on the bus I just crashed going and coming back. I won second place for our short oral presentation competition. 

Beautiful Pen

Our gear 

I had a meeting from 2am-3:somethinga.m by an individual that I can see will be part of this entrepreneur path. I was encouraged tremendously.

Exhausted ….

I feel defeated and sometimes I feel so behind the curve. There is this feeling of grind, grind, grind and nothing is happening. My dream is to fight for a narrative about Africa but I might just tell everyone I am going to Jupiter. It is the dream and drive to change this narrative that keeps me going, but I feel so defeated at times. It feels like this restless battle of fighting and fighting. 

Me everyday ...

The drinking culture here is breathtaking and Ijust don't know If I can take anyone seriously that finds courage in fermented grains.

I wish so bad that this can happen, I know it can work. I can cry just been so close to my dream and nothing. I am trying so hard and it shows physically as I am a size 0/1. I was a 2/4 arriving the last week of April.
 

“Man shall not leave on bread alone? But shall thrive on coffee. My diet has consisted of coffee, coffee, coffee and water. If I am lucky 1 hot meal.”

— The one about Restlessness

Agent Orange and My Dreams

Despite the outside perception, I really wish to be on this side on the planet. I get restless at times worried that I might wake up and just like that: No Kimchi Land, No Sushi Land and Goodbye Alaska. I am beyond unease that Agent Orange has yet to speak on Africa and some of the leaders not understanding he doesn't have the patience they are spoiled too. 

What am I doing with the stress?
I am afraid nothing really!! I mean I try to meditate but I have to literally go and go. This is my dream and I don’t know how not to feel every feeling that I am feeling about my company. I don't half, ass, I never half ass. 

I know my relevance to the universe is no more or less than the particles that make up my Planet Jupiter. However from the water,  I am the Giraffe, I am the Elephant and the hand. My legacy and dynasty from the past to the present will not be forgotten. I will offer the silk road Cassava Diplomacy!

Cassava Tuesdays: The Soft Power of Ghana "Home of Culture & Hospitality"

Ghana is home to over 24 million people but to anyone that has ever had the pleasure of visiting two adjectives describe the country: Culture & Hospitality.

Capital: Accra
Official Language Spoken: English
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Currency: Ghana CEDI
President: William (Nana)Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Vice President: Mahamudu Bawumia

Ghana

I am sure by now, you know our term to describe African Soft Power is Cassava Diplomacy! You also understand the application of Soft power right? For a refresher on Soft Power, just look at the last Cassava Tuesday Entry. 

In 1957, Ghana was the wealthiest country in Sub-Sahara Africa and the first to get its independence in West Africa. 

“Did you know that in the late 1950’s, Ghana and South Korea had similar per capita income??”

Ghana focused on socialist protectionist trade policies, in the name of Pan African Socialism. This type of policy is known as imported substitution policy.

“A trade and economic policy which advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production.
In order words: SAY NO or greatly reduce foreign dependency by focusing on local production of industrialized products.”

— What is Import Substitution Policy? Water & Cassava

This is what your chocolate looks like fresh, Cocoa Fruit. 

Cocoa Beans

“So where did things go South for Ghana and North for South Korea?”

— Water & Cassava

Chocolate became the downfall of Ghana. The Ghanaian government used tax revenues from the export of cocoa to subsidize the development of other industries in the country. Their entire hope was on cocoa with the belief that this would support the domestic market and lead to self-sufficiency within the manufactured goods sector. They would be able to export these "Ghanaian made goods" but more importantly, this will allow for sophisticated manufactured goods. 

 But the reality looked more like this: 

 Cocoa farmers in Ghana suffered from the government’s policy of import substitution and price control as it made them poorer. All productive resources because of ISP (Import Substitution Policy) moved away from goods that had an advantage (like cocoa :(..) and into goods that had much higher production costs. Local people in Ghana were forced to pay higher prices for inferior goods and the available productive resources that were available, the government did not put it to good use.
 

“An inferior good is a type of good for which demand declines as the level of income or real GDP in the economy increases. ”

— The Guys and Girls in Investopedia

Farmers needing to survive turned to self-sufficiency farming on land designated for growing cocoa. These inefficiencies and lack of diversity in development will put a brake on the economic development of Ghana. 

“The case of Kimchi Land and Survival ”

— Water & Cassava

South Korea was successful because it focused on open free trade policies. They took all their resources not just a particular sector but EVERYTHING to make this work. South Korea shifted from agriculture to intensive manufactured goods such as footwear and textiles. Open free trade policies led to Koreans getting most of their Won ( Korean currency) and earning more in wages. 
Combine such efforts, country branding in the name of soft power, technologies made in Korea by Koreans, you have Kimchi Diplomacy.  Unfortunately, Ghana never saw country branding as a tool for country development in the past, but it appears a change is coming. 

... BACK TO GHANA & SOFT POWER

Ghana is working on understanding and applying the importance of country branding and the application of this process in their diplomacy.
 

“To the Ghana Diaspora: You share responsibility in country branding and patronizing ”

— Water & Cassava

It appears Ghana will focus on forms of Gastronomy and Tourism as a soft power tool. Soft Power tools in Ghana also include Sports (football). I touched on the role of China and Stadium Diplomacy in Africa in the past. Ghana played an important role with the genesis of this relationship. Read about that here:

So let's watch, the GHANAIAN GOVERNMENT on soft power 

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia invites visitors to Ghana to try various Ghanaian cuisine, especially the country's 'world famous jollof rice'

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku says Ghana's heritage, culture, democratic credentials, respect for rule of law and friendliness makes the country the preferred tourism destination in West Africa

Meanwhile in Seoul, South Korea....

Asian Boss

Ghana has strong ties to South Korea already through popular culture with Ghanaian born actor Sam Okyere. He is very popular in Seoul and is fluent in the language. We will keep tabs on how the Ghana government applies soft power through him. In addition, we will monitor just how Ghana will use soft power tools in the African region and in other Asian Spaces 

Until next Cassava Tuesday!